Sunday, October 9, 2016

Island of Delos, Greece by Margot Justes

About a thirty to forty five forty minute (depending on weather) ferry ride from Mykonos, Greece
is the island of Delos. And what an island it is. Uninhabited, that is not
exactly true-there are approximately 25 people living there, but they are
either archeologists or security personnel. Everyone else stops for a few hours
and heads back to Mykonos.

The island is bare, there are no snack shops, no
hotels, no restaurants, and the wind can whip up in a quick frenzy,it is in fact quite desolate.There is a museum where you can buy books and
other Delos souvenirs, but that is the extent of the touristy trade.

What makes this island unique are the ruins. Amazing
ruins. The whole island is a ruin. It is an immense site and one not easily
forgotten.

Delos is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and
Artemis. Archeological traces indicate the island was inhabited as early as
3000 B.C. Some of the ruins are so well preserved that you can actually imagine
what the structures looked like and how they were utilized.

From the Doric Temple of Isis to the Archaic Lions,
the mosaic floors, the sites are truly inspiring.

Off the beaten path, I observed an archeologist
crouched on a low portable chair, a pad and pencil in hand as he meticulously
measured something on the ground and then put it on paper. I snuck up on him
and watched as he quietly continued his research. Time stood still and the
serenity on the island was disturbed only by the fierce wind.

If you ever find yourself in Mykonos, do take the
time to visit Delos. I promise, you will not be disappointed, you will in fact
be enthralled.